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Description

Countess Simonetta Brandolini d’Adda was born in the United States and lived between Europe and the United States until attending Tufts University. During her third year she studied in Florence with Smith College. After having graduated with a degree in Art History she settled permanently in Florence and was married to Momi. They have three grown children-Ginevra, Emilio and Polissena.

Their company, The Best in Italy, Inc., began in 1982 by offering the most luxurious villas, palaces and country homes for rent and for purchase throughout Italy. The company also organizes special events, unique travel itineraries and the organization of business conferences and seminars. The headquarters of the company is situated in Florence, Italy and Simonetta is the CEO of The Best in Italy, Inc. Her daughter Polissena now also works in the company.

In 1998 Simonetta established the non-profit U.S. based Foundation called Friends of Florence which is dedicated to the preservation of art works in Florence and Tuscany. The Foundation's first major project, the complete restoration of the Loggia dei Lanzi on the main square of Florence, was celebrated in June of 2002. Friends of Florence then restored the twenty-two major paintings flanking the "David" by Michelangelo in the Galleria dell' Accademia and funded all of the diagnostic analysis, creation of a web site and a DVD about the restoration of the “David” to mark the 500th anniversary of this masterpiece. The Foundation has also restored several individual projects and completed the entire Niobe Room in the Uffizi Gallery in May of 2006. The Foundation’s next major project will be the restoration of the bronze sculptural group above the north portal of the Baptistry in Florence and the “Doors of Paradise” by Ghiberti from the Baptistry which will be finally placed inside the Museum of the Cathedral in 2008 .

Simonetta has also been a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and is very active in WPO and CEO.